Aerosol generation device

ABSTRACT

An aerosol generation device may include a first housing comprising an opening at one side, an inner space for accommodating a cigarette inserted through the opening, and a heater disposed in the inner space; a second housing coupled to other side of the first housing and including a controller; a fastening portion configured to couple the first housing to the second housing; a battery coupled to the second housing; and a case coupled to the second housing for accommodating the second housing, the fastening portion, and the battery therein, wherein the fastening portion is prevented, by the case, from being exposed to outside.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/644,654 filed on Mar. 5, 2020, which is a National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/KR2018/006747 filed Jun. 15, 2018,claiming priorities based on Korean Patent Application Nos.10-2017-0113954 filed Sep. 6, 2017 and 10-2018-0067035 filed Jun. 11,2018.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generation device, and moreparticularly, to an aerosol generation device in which a fasteningstructure is concealed from exposure.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome theshortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there isa growing demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating anaerosol generating material, rather than burning cigarettes.Accordingly, studies on a heating-type cigarette or a heating-typeaerosol generating device have been actively conducted.

When a heating-type aerosol generation device is used, a fasteningstructure that fastens components of the heating-type aerosol generationdevice may be exposed to the outside and damaged by an external pressureor stimulation. In addition, when a user arbitrarily disassembles orreleases the exposed fastening structure of the aerosol generationdevice, the aerosol generation device may fail to operate properly.

A fastening structure according to the related art is formed on an outerportion of the aerosol generation device and is exposed to the outside,or even if a fastening structure is concealed, the concealed fasteningstructure is a simple structure that the user may arbitrarily and easilydisassemble. In order to improve durability by preventing breakage ordamage to the aerosol generation device, it is necessary to conceal thefastening structure such that the fastening structure of the aerosolgeneration device is not exposed to the outside.

In addition, in the structure of the aerosol generation device, it wasdifficult to discern whether the aerosol generation device wasarbitrarily disassembled when the aerosol generation device was brokenor damaged due to the arbitrary disassembly of the aerosol generationdevice by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Technical Problem

Provided is an aerosol generation device in which a fastening structureis concealed from exposure to the outside. The technical problem of thepresent disclosure is not limited to the above-described technicalproblems, and other technical problems may be deduced from the followingembodiments.

Solution to Problem

An aerosol generation device according to embodiments may include afirst housing comprising an opening at one side, an inner spaceaccommodating a cigarette inserted through the opening, and a heaterdisposed in the inner space; a second housing coupled to other side ofthe first housing and including a controller; a fastening portionconfigured to couple the first housing and the second housing; a batterycoupled to the second housing; and a case coupled to the second housingfor accommodating the second housing, the fastening portion, and thebattery therein, wherein the fastening portion is prevented, by thecase, from being exposed to outside.

The aerosol generation device may further include a coupling portionconfigured to couple the second housing and the case, and a covermounted on one surface of the case to cover the coupling portion.

The aerosol generation device may further include an adhesive portiondisposed between the case and the cover, and an adhesive material may beapplied to both sides of the adhesive portion.

Based on the cover coupled to the case by the adhesive portion beingseparated from the case, a predetermined marking may occur on theadhesive portion.

The first housing may further include a flange formed at an end portionof the first housing, and the fastening portion may include a firstgroove portion extending from the flange toward the second housing, asecond groove portion corresponding to the first groove portion andformed in the second housing, and a fastening means configured to fastenthe first groove portion and the second groove portion.

The fastening means may include a pin, a screw, or a rivet.

The fastening portion of the aerosol generation device according toexemplary embodiments may include a hook portion extending from thefirst housing toward the second housing and an accommodation portionformed in the second housing to accommodate the hook portion.

The coupling portion may include a first coupling hole formed on onesurface of the second housing, a second coupling hole corresponding tothe first coupling hole and formed on the case, and a coupling meansconfigured to couple the first coupling hole and the second couplinghole.

The coupling means may include a pin, a screw, or a rivet.

The first housing may further include a switch connected to thecontroller on an outer surface of the first housing, and the case mayinclude a through hole exposing the switch to an outside.

The aerosol generation device may further include a cap portionaccommodating the first housing therein.

A method of assembling an aerosol generation device according toexemplary embodiments may include providing a first housing comprisingan opening in an upper portion, an inner space into which a cigarettemay be inserted through the opening, and a heater disposed in the innerspace; coupling a second housing comprising a controller to a lowerportion of the first housing; coupling the first housing and the secondhousing through a fastening portion; coupling a battery to the secondhousing, and coupling a case to the second housing to accommodate thesecond housing, the fastening portion, and the battery therein, whereinan exposure of the fastening portion to an outside is prevented by thecase.

Advantageous Effects

A case may include a cavity therein to accommodate a second housing, abattery, and a fastening portion. The second housing, the battery, andthe fastening portion may be accommodated in the cavity therein toprevent exposure of the second housing, the battery, and the fasteningportion.

Because the exposure of the fastening portion is prevented, a generalaccess to the fastening portion by a user of an aerosol generationdevice may be prevented. Accordingly, the user of the aerosol generationdevice may not release or disassemble the aerosol generation deviceusing a general method, and thus an arbitrary disassembly of the aerosolgeneration device may be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 through 3 are diagrams showing examples in which a cigarette isinserted into an aerosol generating device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a cigarette.

FIG. 5A is an exploded view of an aerosol generation device according toan embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the aerosol generation device accordingto an embodiment shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is an exploded view of an aerosol generation device according toanother embodiment .

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the aerosol generation device accordingto another embodiment shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an aerosol generation device to which acase is coupled according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generation device furtherincluding a cover and a cap portion according to an embodiment.

BEST MODE

An aerosol generation device according to an embodiment may include afirst housing comprising an opening opened at one side, an inner spaceaccommodating a cigarette inserted through the opening, and a heaterpositioned in the inner space; a second housing comprising a controllerand coupled to other side of the first housing; a fastening portionconfigured to couple the first housing and the second housing; a batterycoupled to the second housing; and a case accommodating the secondhousing, the fastening portion, and the battery therein and coupled tothe second housing.

Mode of Disclosure

With respect to the terms in the various embodiments, the general termswhich are currently and widely used are selected in consideration offunctions of structural elements in the various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changedaccording to intention, a judicial precedence, an appearance of a newtechnology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, a term which isnot commonly used can be selected. In such a case, the meaning of theterm will be described in detail in the description of the presentdisclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of thepresent disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the termsand the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described otherwise, the word “comprise”and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood toimply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of anyother elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module”described in the disclosure mean units for processing at least onefunction and operation and can be implemented by hardware components orsoftware components and combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fullywith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of thepresent disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the artmay easily understand the present disclosure. The disclosure may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 through 3 are diagrams showing examples in which a cigarette isinserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 may include abattery 110, a controller 120, and a heater 130. Referring to FIGS. 2and 3, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a vaporizer140. Also, the cigarette 200 may be inserted into an inner space of theaerosol generating device 100.

FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate components of the aerosol generating device100, which are related to the present embodiments. Therefore, it will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the presentembodiment that other general-purpose components may be further includedin the aerosol generating device 100, in addition to the componentsillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3.

Also, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate that the aerosol generating device 100includes the heater 130. However, according to necessity, the heater 130may be omitted.

FIG. 1 illustrates that the battery 110, the controller 120, and theheater 130 are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 2 illustrates that thebattery 110, the controller 120, the vaporizer 140, and the heater 130are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 3 illustrates that the vaporizer 140and the heater 130 are arranged in parallel. However, the internalstructure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to thestructures illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. In other words, accordingto the design of the aerosol generating device 100, the battery 110, thecontroller 120, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 140 may be differentlyarranged.

When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device100, the aerosol generating device 100 may operate the heater 130 and/orthe vaporizer 140 to generate an aerosol from the cigarette 200 and/orthe vaporizer 140. The aerosol generated by the heater 130 and/or thevaporizer 140 is delivered to a user by passing through the cigarette200.

According to necessity, even when the cigarette 200 is not inserted intothe aerosol generating device 100, the aerosol generating device 100 mayheat the heater 130.

The battery 110 may supply power to be used for the aerosol generatingdevice 100 to operate. For example, the battery 110 may supply power toheat the heater 130 or the vaporizer 140, and may supply power foroperating the controller 120. Also, the battery 110 may supply power foroperations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosolgenerating device 100.

The controller 120 may generally control operations of the aerosolgenerating device 100. Specifically, the controller 120 may control notonly operations of the battery 110, the heater 130, and the vaporizer140, but also operations of other components included in the aerosolgenerating device 100. Also, the controller 120 may check a state ofeach of the components of the aerosol generating device 100 to determinewhether or not the aerosol generating device 100 is able to operate.

The controller 120 may include at least one processor. A processor maybe implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may beimplemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and amemory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. Itwill be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that theprocessor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater 130 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery 110.For example, when the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosolgenerating device 100, the heater 130 may be located outside thecigarette 200. Thus, the heated heater 130 may increase temperature ofan aerosol generating material in the cigarette 200.

The heater 130 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, theheater 130 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater130 may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductivetrack. However, the heater 130 is not limited to the examples describedabove and may include all heaters which may be heated to a desiredtemperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosolgenerating device 100 or may be set as a temperature desired by a user.

As another example, the heater 130 may include an induction heater.Specifically, the heater 130 may include an electrically conductive coilfor heating a cigarette in an induction heating method, and thecigarette may include a susceptor which may be heated by the inductionheater.

For example, the heater 130 may include a tube-type heating element, aplate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-typeheating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the cigarette200, according to the shape of the heating element.

Also, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a plurality ofheaters 130. Here, the plurality of heaters 130 may be inserted into thecigarette 200 or may be arranged outside the cigarette 200. Also, someof the plurality of heaters 130 may be inserted into the cigarette 200and the others may be arranged outside the cigarette 200. In addition,the shape of the heater 130 is not limited to the shapes illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 3 and may include various shapes.

The vaporizer 140 may generate an aerosol by heating a liquidcomposition and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette 200to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via thevaporizer 140 may move along an air flow passage of the aerosolgenerating device 100 and the air flow passage may be configured suchthat the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 140 passes through thecigarette 200 to be delivered to the user.

For example, the vaporizer 140 may include a liquid storage, a liquiddelivery element, and a heating element, but it is not limited thereto.For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery element, and theheating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 100 asindependent modules.

The liquid storage may store a liquid composition. For example, theliquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containingmaterial having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquidincluding a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to bedetachable from the vaporizer 140 or may be formed integrally with thevaporizer 140.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent,ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin mixture. Thespices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and variousfruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavoringsmay include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastesto a user. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitaminA, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto.Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance,such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition of theliquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid deliveryelement may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber,or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid compositiondelivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heatingelement may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramicheater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, theheating element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wireand may be positioned as being wound around the liquid delivery element.The heating element may be heated by a current supply and may transferheat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element,thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, aerosol may begenerated.

For example, the vaporizer 140 may be referred to as a cartomizer or anatomizer, but it is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device 100 may further include general-purposecomponents in addition to the battery 110, the controller 120, theheater 130, and the vaporizer 140. For example, the aerosol generatingdevice 100 may include a display capable of outputting visualinformation and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, theaerosol generating device 100 may include at least one sensor (a puffdetecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor, a cigarette insertiondetecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device 100 may beformed as a structure where, even when the cigarette 200 is insertedinto the aerosol generating device 100, external air may be introducedor internal air may be discharged.

Although not illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the aerosol generatingdevice 100 and an additional cradle may form together a system. Forexample, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 110 of the aerosolgenerating device 100. Alternatively, the heater 130 may be heated whenthe cradle and the aerosol generating device 100 are coupled to eachother.

The cigarette 200 may be similar as a general combustive cigarette. Forexample, the cigarette 200 may be divided into a first portion includingan aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter,etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette 200 may alsoinclude an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosolgenerating material made in the form of granules or capsules may beinserted into the second portion.

The entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generatingdevice 100, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside.Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted intothe aerosol generating device 100, or the entire first portion and aportion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosolgenerating device 100. The user may puff aerosol while holding thesecond portion by the mouth of the user. In this case, the aerosol isgenerated by the external air passing through the first portion, and thegenerated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered tothe user's mouth.

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passageformed in the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the openingand closing and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosolgenerating device 100 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, theamount of smoke and a smoking satisfaction may be adjusted by the user.As another example, the external air may flow into the cigarette 200through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette 200.

Hereinafter, an example of the cigarette 200 will be described withreference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cigarette 200 may include a tobacco rod 210 anda filter rod 220. The first portion 210 described above with referenceto FIGS. 1 through 3 may include the tobacco rod, and the second portionmay include the filter rod 220.

FIG. 4 illustrates that the filter rod 220 includes a single segment.However, the filter rod 220 is not limited thereto. In other words, thefilter rod 220 may include a plurality of segments. For example, thefilter rod 220 may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosoland a second segment configured to filter a certain component includedin the aerosol. Also, according to necessity, the filter rod 220 mayfurther include at least one segment configured to perform otherfunctions.

The cigarette 200 may be packaged via at least one wrapper 240. Thewrapper 240 may have at least one hole through which external air may beintroduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the cigarette200 may be packaged via one wrapper 240. As another example, thecigarette 200 may be double-packaged via at least two wrappers 240. Forexample, the tobacco rod 210 may be packaged via a first wrapper, andthe filter rod 220 may be packaged via a second wrapper. Also, thetobacco rod 210 and the filter rod 220, which are respectively packagedvia separate wrappers, may be coupled to each other, and the entirecigarette 200 may be packaged via a third wrapper. When each of thetobacco rod 210 and the filter rod 220 includes a plurality of segments,each segment may be packaged via a separate wrapper. Also, the entirecigarette 200 including the plurality of segments, which arerespectively packaged via the separate wrappers and which are coupled toeach other, may be re-packaged via another wrapper.

The tobacco rod 210 may include an aerosol generating material. Forexample, the aerosol generating material may include at least one ofglycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol,diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleylalcohol, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod 210 mayinclude other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/ororganic acid. Also, the tobacco rod 210 may include a flavored liquid,such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected to the tobacco rod210.

The tobacco rod 210 may be manufactured in various forms. For example,the tobacco rod 210 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, thetobacco rod 210 may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tinybits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod 210 may besurrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, theheat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foilsuch as aluminum foil. For example, the heat conductive materialsurrounding the tobacco rod 210 may uniformly distribute heattransmitted to the tobacco rod 210, and thus, the heat conductivityapplied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco maybe improved. Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobaccorod 210 may function as a susceptor heated by the induction heater.Here, although not illustrated in the drawings, the tobacco rod 210 mayfurther include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heatconductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210.

The filter rod 220 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Also, theshapes of the filter rod 220 are not limited. For example, the filterrod 220 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having ahollow inside. Also, the filter rod 220 may include a recess-type rod.When the filter rod 220 includes a plurality of segments, at least oneof the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

The filter rod 220 may be formed to generate flavors. For example, aflavoring liquid may be injected into the filter rod 220, or anadditional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into thefilter rod 220.

Also, the filter rod 220 may include at least one capsule 230. Here, thecapsule 230 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, thecapsule 230 may have a configuration in which a liquid containing aflavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule 230may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

When the filter rod 220 includes a segment configured to cool theaerosol, the cooling segment may include a polymer material or abiodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment mayinclude pure polylactic acid alone, but the material for forming thecooling segment is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the coolingsegment may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality ofholes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to theabove-described example and is not limited as long as the coolingsegment cools the aerosol.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 4, the cigarette 200 according to anembodiment may further include a front-end filter. The front-end filtermay be located on a side of the tobacco rod 210, the side facing thefilter rod 220. The front-end filter may prevent the tobacco rod 210from being detached outwards and prevent a liquefied aerosol fromflowing into the aerosol generating device 100 (FIGS. 1 through 3) fromthe tobacco rod 210, during smoking.

FIG. 5A is an exploded view of an aerosol generation device 100according to an embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of theaerosol generation device 100 according to an embodiment shown in FIG.5A.

The aerosol generation device 100 according to an embodiment shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B may include a first housing 10, a second housing 20, afastening portion 50, and a case 80.

The first housing 10 of the aerosol generation device 100 may include anopening 11 at one side and accommodate the cigarette 200 (see FIG. 1)inserted through the opening 11. The first housing 10 may also includean inner space in which the inserted cigarette is accommodated and theheater 130 (see FIG. 1) which heats the cigarette in the inner space.

The aerosol generation device 100 may include a second housing 20coupled to other side of the first housing 10. The second housing 20 maybe coupled to the other side of the first housing 10 opposite to the oneside of the first housing 10 into which the cigarette is inserted.

The second housing 20 may include the controller 120 (see FIG. 4) insidethe second housing 20. The second housing 20 may also include, in oneside of the second housing 20, a switch 27 connected to the controllerto transmit a signal to the controller 120.

The aerosol generation device 100 may include the fastening portion 50coupling the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. The secondhousing 20 may be coupled to the other side of the first housing 10through the fastening portion 50 and may be in contact with at leastpart of the first housing 10.

The aerosol generation device 100 may further include a battery 110coupled to the second housing 20. The battery 110 may be coupled to onesurface of the second housing 20 and may be positioned at the other sideof the first housing 10. The battery 110 may have, for example, a shapesurrounding one side of the second housing 20, but is not limitedthereto. The battery 110 may also be integrally coupled to the secondhousing 20 and may provide power to the second housing 20 to operate thecontroller inside the second housing 20.

The aerosol generation device 100 may include the case 80 thataccommodates the second housing 20, the fastening portion 50, and thebattery 110 therein and coupled to the second housing 20. Because thecase 80 accommodates all of the second housing 20, the fastening portion50, and the battery 110 therein, the second housing 20, the fasteningportion 50, and the battery 110 may be prevented from being exposed tothe outside and may be concealed by the case 80.

Because the fastening portion 50 coupling the first housing 10 and thesecond housing 20 is concealed by the case 80, a user of the aerosolgeneration device 100 may not release or separate coupling of the firsthousing 10 and the second housing 20 by a general access, therebypreventing breakage of the aerosol generation device 100.

The fastening portion 50 of the aerosol generation device 100 accordingto exemplary embodiments may be described in more detail with referenceto FIGS. 5A and 5B.

The first housing 10 of the aerosol generation device 100 may include aflange 18 formed at other end portion of the first housing 10. Theflange 18 may extend in the circumferential direction at the other endportion of the first housing 10 and may protrude in the circumferentialdirection at the other end portion of the first housing 10 to form astepped portion.

The fastening portion 50 may include a first groove portion 15protruding from the flange 18 toward the second housing 20, a secondgroove portion 25 corresponding to the first groove portion 15 andformed in the second housing 20, and a fastening means 28 fastening thefirst groove portion 15 and the second groove portion 25.

When the first groove portion 15 protrudes from the flange 18 toward thesecond housing 20 and when the first housing 10 and the second housing20 are coupled, the first groove portion 15 may be position on an outersurface of the second housing 20.

The second groove portion 25 may be formed in the second housing 20 tocorrespond to a position of the first groove portion 15. For example,the first groove portion 15 and the second groove portion 25 may havethe same central axis when coupled such that the fastening means 28 maypass through the first groove portion 15 and the second groove portion25 together.

The first groove portion 15 may be plural. For example, the first grooveportions 15 may be symmetrically formed on the flange 18 of the firsthousing 10 with respect to the center of the flange 18 in thecircumferential direction of the first housing 20. The second grooveportion 25 may be plural so as to correspond to the first groove portion15, and may be formed at a position in the second housing where thefirst groove portion 15 extends. When a plurality of first grooveportions 15 and a plurality of second groove portions 25 are installed,the first groove portions 15 and the second groove portions 25 may bespaced apart from each other along the extending direction of the flange18.

The fastening means 28 may pass through the first groove portion 15 andthe second groove portion 25 to fasten the first groove portion 15 andthe second groove portion 25, and the fastening means 28 may be, forexample, a pin, a screw, or a rivet. The first groove portion 15 and thesecond groove portion 25 may be coupled by the fastening means 28 andmay vary in size or shape according to the fastening means 28.

For example, when the fastening means 28 is the screw, the first grooveportion 15 and the second groove portion 25 may have a shape including ascrew thread inside the first groove portion 15 and the second grooveportion 25, respectively, so as to accommodate the screw that is thefastening means 28.

When the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are coupled by thefastening means 28 fastening the first groove portion 15 and the secondgroove portion 25, the heater 130 in the first housing 10 may beelectrically connected to the controller 120 in the second housing 20.Accordingly, the heater 130 of the first housing 10 may be controlled bythe controller 120 of the second housing 20.

When smoking, the user may operate the aerosol generation device 100 bypressing the switch 27 formed on one surface of the second housing 20 totransmit the signal to the controller 120.

FIG. 6A is an exploded view of the aerosol generation device 100according to an embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of theaerosol generation device 100 according to an embodiment shown in FIG.6A.

The fastening portion 50 of the aerosol generation device 100 accordingto an embodiment may be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.6A and 6B.

The first housing 10 of the aerosol generation device 100 may includethe flange 18 formed at the other end portion of the first housing 10.The fastening portion 50 may include a hook portion 65 extending fromthe flange 18 and extending toward the second housing 20, and anaccommodation portion 75 formed in the second housing 20 to accommodatethe hook portion 65.

The hook portion 65 may protrude from the flange 18 of the first housing10 toward the second housing 20 such that the hook portion 65 ispositioned on an outer surface of the second housing 20 when the firsthousing 10 is coupled to the second housing 20.

Alternatively, the hook portion 65 may protrude toward the inside of thesecond housing 20 such that the hook portion 65 is positioned on aninner surface of the second housing 20 when the first housing 10 iscoupled to the second housing 20.

The hook portion 65 may include a protrusion portion having a ring shapeat the end of the hook portion 65, but the embodiments are not limitedby a specific configuration of the hook portion 65.

For example, the end of the hook portion 65 may be positioned on theouter surface of the second housing 20 and the protrusion portion of thehook portion 65 may be the protrusion portion having the ring shapeextending in a direction of the outer surface of the second housing 20.The hook portion 65 may be coupled to the accommodation portion 75formed on the outer surface of the second housing 20 through theprotrusion portion having the ring shape.

As another example, the hook portion 65 may extend into the secondhousing 20 to engage with the inner surface of the second housing 20.The protrusion portion formed at the end of the hook portion 65 may havethe ring shape and extend in a direction of the inner surface of thesecond housing 20.

The protrusion portion formed at the end of the hook portion 65 may bedirectly fastened with the accommodation portion 75 formed in the secondhousing 20. The hook portion 65 accommodated in the accommodationportion 75 of the second housing 20 may be decoupled from the secondhousing 20 when a force greater than a predetermined range is applied.

The accommodating portion 75 formed in the second housing 20 may beformed in the outer surface or the inner surface of the second housing20 to correspond to the hook portion 65 of the first housing 10. Theaccommodating portion 75 may have a shape that may accommodate theprotrusion portion of the end of the hook portion 65. For example, whenthe shape of the protruding portion of the end of the hook portion 65has the ring shape, the accommodating portion 75 may have the shape thatmay be engaged with the ring shape. In addition, when the hook portion65 of the first housing 10 and the accommodation portion 75 of thesecond housing 20 are coupled inside the second housing 20, the hookportion 65 and the accommodation portion 75 may be concealed from theoutside.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the aerosol generation device 100 towhich the case 80 is coupled according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the aerosol generation device 100 may include thecase 80 that accommodates the second housing 20, the battery 110, andthe fastening portion 50 of the aerosol generation device 100 thereinand coupled to the second housing 20.

The case 80 may include a cavity therein to accommodate the secondhousing 20, the battery 110, and the fastening portion 50. The secondhousing 20, the battery 110, and the fastening portion 50 may beaccommodated in the cavity therein to prevent exposure of the secondhousing 20, the battery 110, and the fastening portion 50.

Because the exposure of the fastening portion 50 is prevented, a generalaccess to the fastening portion 50 by a user of the aerosol generationdevice 100 may be prevented. Accordingly, the user of the aerosolgeneration device 100 may not release or disassemble the aerosolgeneration device 100 using a general method, and thus an arbitrarydisassembly of the aerosol generation device 100 may be prevented.

The case 80 may be coupled to the second housing 20 through a couplingportion 88. Here, the coupling portion 88 may include a first couplinghole 29 formed in one surface of the second housing 20, a secondcoupling hole 85 corresponding to the first coupling hole 29 and formedin the case 80, and coupling means 86 coupling the first coupling hole29 and the second coupling hole 85.

The first coupling hole 29 may be formed in the other side of the secondhousing 20. The first coupling hole 29 may be formed in plural in theother side of the second housing 20 and may be, for example, twosymmetrical grooves disposed to be symmetrical with respect to thecenter of the other side of the second housing 20.

The second coupling hole 85 may be formed in the other side of the case80, and may be formed at a position corresponding to the first couplinghole 29 of the second housing 20 when the case 80 is coupled to thehousing 20 while accommodating the second housing 20, the fasteningportion 50, and the battery 110. For example, when the case 80 iscoupled, the first coupling hole 29 and the second coupling hole 85 mayhave the same central axis such that the coupling means 86 may passthrough the first coupling hole 29 and the second coupling hole 85together.

The coupling means 86 may pass through the first coupling hole 29 andthe second coupling hole 85 to fasten the first coupling hole 29 and thesecond coupling hole 85, and the coupling means 86 may be, for example,a pin, a screw, or a rivet. The first coupling hole 29 and the secondcoupling hole 85 may be coupled by the coupling means 86 and may vary insize or shape according to the coupling means 86.

For example, when the coupling means 86 is the screw, the first couplinghole 29 and the second coupling hole 85 may have a shape including ascrew thread inside the first coupling hole 29 and the second couplinghole 85, respectively, so as to accommodate the screw that is thecoupling means 86.

The case 80 may include a through hole 83 to expose the switch 27 formedon one side of the second housing 20 to the outside. The through hole 83may be formed to correspond to the position and shape of the switch 27and may be formed on one side of the case 80.

The switch 27 may be exposed to the outside through the through hole 83such that a general access of the user may be easy. The switch 27 may beelectrically connected to the controller 120 inside the second housing20 to operate the controller 120. Therefore, when smoking, the user mayoperate the aerosol generation device 100 through the switch 27.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating the aerosol generation device 100further including a cover 30 and a cap portion 90 according to anembodiment.

The aerosol generation device 100 may further include the cap portion 90disposed outside the first housing 10 of the aerosol generation device100, surrounding the first housing 10 and having an end portioncontacting the flange 18. The cap portion 90 may have an inner cavitythat accommodates the first housing 10 therein. When the cap portion 90is coupled to the aerosol generation device 100 surrounding the firsthousing 10, the end portion of the cap portion 90 may contact the flange18 of the aerosol generation device 100.

The cap portion 90 accommodates the first housing 10 therein and iscoupled to the flange 18 of the first housing 10 so as to be separableby an external force of the user of the aerosol generation device 100.Here, the cap portion 90 may be easily separated from the first housing10 by the external force of the user. The first housing 10 and the capportion 90 may include a binding means in which attraction is applied toeach other.

The binding means may provide attraction more than a predetermined rangebetween the first housing 10 and the cap portion 90 such that the firsthousing 10 and the cap portion 90 are easily separated by the externalforce of the user of the aerosol generation device 100, but are notseparated by a general external force. The binding means may be, forexample, a magnetic material, but is not limited thereto.

The cap portion 90 may accommodate the first housing 10 therein toprevent foreign substances from being inserted into the first housing 10and to prevent breakage or damage of the first housing 10. When the capportion 90 is coupled to the aerosol generation device 100, the outersurface of the cap portion 90 and the outer surface of the case 80 maybe continuously connected to each other to form an appearance of theaerosol generation device 100. As a result, the aerosol generationdevice 100 may have an integral smooth appearance, thereby improvingportability of the aerosol generation device 100.

The aerosol generation device 100 may further include the cover 30mounted on one surface of the case 80 to cover the coupling portion 88that couples the second housing 20 and the case 80. The cover 30 maycover the coupling portion 88 coupling the second housing 20 and thecase 80 to prevent the coupling portion 88 from being exposed to theoutside. Accordingly, the general access to the coupling portion 88 bythe user of the aerosol generation device 100 may be prevented. Becausethe general access to the coupling portion 88 is prevented, arbitraryrelease or disassembly of the user of the aerosol generation device 100may be prevented.

In addition, the aerosol generation device 100 may further include anadhesive portion 35 between one surface of the case 80 and the cover 30.An adhesive material may be applied to both surfaces of the adhesiveportion 35 such that the cover 30 may be coupled to the case 80 throughthe adhesive portion 35.

When a component of the aerosol generation device 100 such as the cover30 is coupled to the adhesive portion 35 and then separated from theadhesive portion 35, at least part of the adhesive portion 35 may bedeformed to indicate that the cover 30 is separated from the case 80.

For example, when the user arbitrarily separates the cover 30 of theaerosol generation device 100 from the aerosol generation device 100, apredetermined mark may be remained on the adhesive portion 35 toindicate that the cover 30 is separated from the aerosol generationdevice 100.

Marking of the adhesive portion 35 may occur due to the deformation ofat least part of the adhesive portion 35 when the cover 30 is separated.For example, when the cover 30 is separated, the adhesive material ofthe adhesive portion 35 is deformed, or a part or the whole of theadhesive portion 35 may be wrinkled or torn together with the adhesivematerial, which may cause the marking of the adhesive portion 35 tooccur.

The mark remaining on the adhesive portion 35 is irreversible, and thuswhen the marking occurs on the adhesive portion 35, it is impossible toremove the mark from the adhesive portion 35. Therefore, informationabout the separation of the cover 30 of the aerosol generation device100 may be provided through the adhesive portion 35.

Information about the separation of at least one of the first housing10, the second housing 20, and the battery 110 of the aerosol generationdevice 100 may be provided through the information about the arbitraryseparation of the cover 30 of the aerosol generation device 100.

The aerosol generation device 100 has a structure in which a fasteningstructure for fastening components of the aerosol generation device 100is concealed, thereby preventing the fastening structure from beingexposed to the outside and damaged by an external pressure orstimulation.

In addition, the aerosol generation device 100 may prevent breakage ordamage of the aerosol generation device 100 that may occur when the userarbitrarily disassembles or releases the exposed fastening structure ofthe aerosol generation device 100.

An irreversible mark remains on the adhesive portion 35 that couples thecover 30 of the aerosol generation device 100 when the cover 30 isseparated from the adhesive portion 35. After the mark remains on theadhesive portion 35, it is impossible to remove the mark from theadhesive portion 35 and thus, the information about the arbitraryseparation of the cover 30 of the aerosol generation device 100 may beprovided through the adhesive portion 35.

The information about the separation of at least one of the firsthousing 10, the second housing 20, and the battery 110 of the aerosolgeneration device 100 may be provided through the information about thearbitrary separation of the cover 30 of the aerosol generation device100.

A method of assembling the aerosol generation device 100 according toexemplary embodiments may include providing the first housing 10including the opening 11 in an upper portion, an inner space into whichthe cigarette 200 may be inserted through the opening 11, and the heater130 positioned in the inner space; coupling the second housing 20including the controller 120 to a lower portion of the first housing 10;coupling the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 through thefastening portion 50; coupling the battery 110 to the second housing 20,and coupling the case 80 to the second housing 20 to accommodate thesecond housing 20, the fastening portion 50, and the battery 110therein.

As such, the fastening portion 50 may be prevented, by the case 80, frombeing exposed to the outside.

The configuration and effects of the method of assembling the aerosolgeneration device 100 according to exemplary embodiments are the same asthose described above with respect to the aerosol generation device 100,and thus a redundant detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the embodiments mayunderstand that various changes in form and details can be made thereinwithout departing from the scope of the characteristics described above.The disclosed methods should be considered in descriptive sense only andnot for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present disclosure isdefined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description,and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should beconstrued as being included in the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aerosol generation device comprising: a firsthousing comprising an opening opened at one side, an inner spaceaccommodating a cigarette inserted through the opening, and a heaterpositioned in the inner space; a second housing comprising a controllerand coupled to other side of the first housing; a fastening portionconfigured to couple the first housing and the second housing; a batterycoupled to the second housing; and a case accommodating the secondhousing, the fastening portion, and the battery therein and coupled tothe second housing, wherein a first groove portion extending to belocated outside the second housing when the first housing is coupled tothe second housing is formed in one side of the first housing, the firstgroove portion is formed to be accommodated inside the case when thecase is coupled to the second housing, and the fastening portionconfigured to couple the first housing and the second housing isprevented from being exposed to an outside by the case.
 2. The aerosolgeneration device of claim 1, further comprising a switch electricallyconnected to the controller inside the second housing, wherein the casecomprises a through hole exposing the switch to the outside.
 3. Theaerosol generation device of claim 1, further comprising a cap portiondisposed outside the first housing to surround the first housing.
 4. Theaerosol generation device of claim 3, wherein an appearance of theaerosol generation device is formed by continuously connecting an outersurface of the cap portion and an outer surface of the case to eachother.
 5. The aerosol generation device of claim 1, further comprising:a coupling portion configured to couple the second housing to the case;and a cover mounted on one surface of the case to cover the couplingportion.
 6. The aerosol generation device of claim 5, further comprisingan adhesive portion disposed between the case and the cover, wherein anadhesive material is applied to both sides of the adhesive portion. 7.The aerosol generation device of claim 6, wherein, when the covercoupled to the case by the adhesive portion is separated from the case,at least a part of the adhesive portion is deformed to indicate that thecover is separated from the case.